By Liam Price, photo by Jonathan White
It’s the end of August, which must mean it’s bank holiday football time. The Dabbers have 2 challenging fixtures, first at home to Mossley (Saturday, 3pm) then away to Stafford (Monday, 3pm).
I love a party with a happy Staff Moss-phere
Mossley – The Lillywhites are yet to record their first win this season. They were knocked out of the FA Cup by Bradford (Park Avenue) and in the league have lost to Lower Breck, then drawn against both Congleton and Clitheroe. In the very early table they are 17th.
Stafford – It’s been all or nothing so far for Stafford. They were defeated in the FA Cup by Lutterworth Town and in the league have won 2 and lost 2. They lost to Avro, beat Darlaston, lost to Shifnal then were victorious over Congleton. Whenever they’ve won they have kept a clean sheet and whenever they’ve lost they’ve failed to score, but those 2 wins mean they lie 7th before the weekend. Prior to the Dabbers game, they travel to Wythenshawe Town on Saturday.
Edit: Stafford won that Wythenshawe game 3-0, continuing the pattern described above. They are now 3rd.
Last Time We Met
Mossley – Mossley did the league double over Nantwich last season, winning 2-1 at the Swansway in March. Tom Pratt managed to equalise after Troy Bourne had been sent off but Mossley scored straight from the subsequent kick-off. Highlights below.
Stafford – The two fixtures between the pair last season both ended in 2-1 home wins. At the Stan Robinson Stadium in February, Byron Harrison pulled the Dabbers level before a Dan Cockerline finish after his penalty was saved won it for Stafford. Highlights below.
Players to Watch
Mossley – The influential Bailey Marsden is no longer part of their midfield but there are other familiar names in there; Guillherme Baltazar scored the winner in that March game and Finley Madigan is one of the better keepers in the division. And former Dabber George Milner is one recent signing who can certainly fill that midfield gap if given chance.
Stafford – Again there is familiarity in Stafford’s team. Kaiman Anderson is a consistent goal threat up top, Zidan Sutherland has been at Hednesford and scored the winner for them last weekend, former Dabber Jack Sherratt has made the move to Boro to take place in their midfield and reunite with Cockerline, and Joe Cuff once scored a sensational long range goal against Nantwich for Shifnal in the FA Cup. Well known keeper Cameron Belford has moved on and they now have a Port Vale loanee in net in Arron Davies.
Edit: Cuff scored and was sent off against Wythenshawe Town, but with the 7-day processing time will be eligible to play. Cockerline also got his first of the season.
Match Information
Mossley – Tickets for this one are available online HERE or on the gate with cash or card.
Dogs are allowed as long as they are kept on a lead.
Pre-order half-time drinks at the bar before the game to avoid the queues!
Please be careful with parking and avoid parking on the road that leads into the housing estate.
Stafford – Tickets are available online HERE, or on the gate at £13 for adults, £8 for concessions and students, £4 for under 16s and £1 for under 10s. Select from the AWAY fans section if you’re buying online.
Dabbers fans are well used to travelling to Stafford on a bank holiday, having done so on many Boxing Days over the years. The M6 remains the quickest route by road.
One difference to a Boxing Day is there are more options by train. From Crewe there are a few, the only downside is a half hour walk from the station to the stadium. After the game there are trains from Stafford to Crewe at 17:34, 17:47 and 18:11.